Thursday, January 19, 2017

Not so useless masks

Surgical masks
are often worn during outbreaks in hopes that they will be protective against
whichever virus or pathogen is spreading. This behavior was especially notable
during influenza outbreaks, MERS, and SARS outbreaks. However, when people
sneeze into the masks, it will trap the droplets that are carrying the virus,
but do not necessarily kills the virus. The virus will rather become trapped in
the mask. This could eventually lead to infection through the handling of the
used masks with the trapped infectious virus.

Hyo-Jick Choi,
A University of Alberta professor and researcher, was able to create surgical
masks that are capable of trapping and killing airborne viruses. Using
crystallization of the vaccine liquid solution, he is able to use this method
to kill the virus. By applying a salt formula to the mask that dries in a
manner that is conducive towards the destruction of the virus allowed him to create
a protective mask. Ultimately, these
masks may prove to be very useful during pandemics or epidemics.